So todays post was triggered by something a friend of mine pointed out to me..

The rate of illiteracy amongst our youth these days and also where their priorities lie.

Unfortunately we find ourselves living in a society where the majority of children entering High School cannot read or write or even speak properly for that matter.

This unfortunate reality is manifesting in our National Broadcaster where the majority of Television Continuity Presenters cannot speak properly and the subtitles on television broadcasts have the most putrid language and grammar.

Filling racial quotas is one thing, but then make sure you select candidates who are able to fill the position.

In my opinion the term “previously disadvantaged” should no longer exist simply because we have come a very long way since the apartheid era and while we are still trying to move away from racism and all the emotions coupled with the concept, education is something that in today’s society, is readily available to anyone who is determined and disciplined enough to seek it out and better themselves.

There are two sides to this spectrum.

One the one side we have a shortage of teachers, while on the other we have pupils who are too lazy to better themselves and work towards their own independence.

We have a situation where reality becomes virtual.

People are not rated or known for what they have achieved through sheer hard work and determination.

Instead their “popularity” is rated by how many people visit their facebook page or rate them on myspace.

This brings me back to priorities. In today’s society we are battling a mind set where people born in the 80’s thing the world owes them something.

That a job or degree is just going to fall from the sky and that they will always be able to just run back to mommy and daddy whenever reality bites.

Personally this a lesson I have had to learn the hard way and it is an on-going learning curve.

I do, however, think I have the potential to turn it around and that I have a solid support structure to help me on the road to betterment.

This is available to each and every young person.

There is no reason why a child of thirteen should be unable to read or take an exam.

Where parents and family are absent there are school guidance counsellors and teachers who are more than willing to help children and motivate them and show them in the right direction.

Where money is an issue, there are scholarhips and bursaries available around every corner.

Even sports, which should be something enjoyed, can pay for your education.

Companies and Universities are having to drop their recruitment standards because they simply aren’t being met.

Aptitude tests and exams are having to be watered down to suite the capabilities of ill-equipped candidates.

Where is the sense in that?

It’s only going to result in the downfall of our economy.

To me, the rate of illiteracy is unnecessary and shameful.

There is absolutely no excuse for it.

Literacy is the stepping stone to ANY profession and should be given prime concern before its too late.

We simply have to get our priorities straight and do what needs to be done as opposed to focusing on things that are trivial.

That’s all for today.

Until next time!

PEACE!

Jade